Overview
He has worked with companies and brands in various technological fields, including X-ray imaging devices, carbon processing, semiconductors, optics, renewable and green energy, mechanical engineering, consumer devices, suspension technologies, and a wide range of other consumer products. He manages domestic and international patent portfolios for several clients. Austen’s expertise includes drafting and prosecuting patent applications both in the United States and internationally, to maximize client value for each individual technology.
Beyond prosecution, Austen counsels clients on whether and how to protect their technologies through patents, trade secrets, or other means. He leads invention disclosure and IP generation sessions with inventor groups, reviews patent portfolios for coverage ahead of public disclosures, and prepares prioritized filing recommendations. Austen handles difficult prosecution matters, including subject matter eligibility challenges, and has prepared non-infringement, invalidity, and ownership opinions. He also coordinates trademark and design patent work alongside utility patent filings, so that clients can address patent, design, and brand protection together.
Experience
- Drafted numerous patent applications
- Prosecuted many U.S. and foreign patent applications to allowance
- Experience providing opinions on patent invalidity and infringement
- Experience conducting frequent Examiner interviews
- Prepared a petition for inter partes review leading to patent owner disclaiming patent
- Experience managing complex patent portfolios
